Unspoilt beaches, breathtaking natural beauty, a sing-along medley of mountains, deserts, reefs, forests, unique wildlife and multicultural melting-pot cities, there's certainly nothing like Australia. It is one of the oldest countries on the planet, as well as one of the youngest. Australia is something that has it all, and this is probably one of those travel destinations that is surely to take on everyone's bucket list of must-visit travel escapades. From its rich indigenous history that dates back more than 50,000 years to its legendary heroes and pioneers who forged the way, here, you'll find an insight into what makes Australia the vibrant, modern and multicultural nation what it is today.

Unlike other western countries, Australia seizes the imagination, a place where the adventures are as vast as the horizons and where every aspect of Australian life and culture is a product of its scale and population. It follows that cities here are a lot of fun. While Sydney is a glamorous fusion of beaches, boutiques and bars, Melbourne is all arts, alleyways and Australian Rules football. Brisbane is a subtropical town, while Perth breathes west-coast optimism and the Stylish Cairns is the gateway to Queensland's tropical north. The list below gives you some of the top cities to check out when in Australia that should not be missed:

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Sydney

Sydney is the jewel of Australia and its main entry point for many travelers, which offers something for every visitor. The city has everything, from first class hotels, restaurants and resorts to beautiful beaches, natural attractions and extreme wilderness. Sydney is the city that houses the world renowned Opera House. It is truly a travel paradise with destinations like Darling Harbor, Queen Victoria Building, Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains, Jenolan Caves, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Park, Museum of Contemporary art, Museum of Sydney and many more. The nightlife in Sydney is one of the most active in Australia.

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Melbourne

Once ranked as the most liveable city by the Economist Group, Melbourne is a complete mix of tourist attractions; whether it's the cafes and restaurants, city's laneways, shopping markets, natural parks or gardens, beautiful beaches or music venues. The city is also a notable sporting destination and the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the city is the largest, oldest and the most famous sporting venue in Australia. Other must-visit attractions of Melbourne include Luna Park, Melbourne Zoo, Royal Botanic Gardens, St Kilda Beach, National Gallery of Victoria, Royal Exhibition Building, Collins Street, Lygon Street, State Library of Victoria, etc. Melbourne has something for everyone: family fare, local and international art, haute boutiques and multicultural dining.

Image : Lachlan Fearnley

Brisbane

Brisbane is the third-largest city in Australia and is probably one of the best places for relaxing and exploring the north. It is known as the heart of the Queensland's culture, recreation and entertainment. For its excellent accommodation options, brilliant food, great sightseeing and various things to do, Melbourne truly deserves the reputation of best travel destination in the Southern Hemisphere. Popular attractions of Brisbane include South Bank Parklands, Queen Street Mall, Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Parliament House, Queensland Cultural Center, Australia Zoo, etc. Brisbane is more of a sleepy country town hiding behind a big city façade.

Image : Tatters Flickr

Perth

Situated at the western corner of Australia, Perth is home to some of the best City Beaches in the world and provides a range of options and adventure activities to enjoy. Surrounded by natural beauty, it is regarded as one of the most isolated cities in the world. The notable attractions of Perth include Kings Park and Botanic Gardens, Perth Mint, the Bell Tower, Perth Zoo, Museum of Western Australia, Kingfisher Gallery, Government House, Cottesloe Beach, Swan River, Aviation Heritage Museum, Fraser Avenue Lookout, Swan Bells and more. Perth enjoys a Mediterranean climate with incredibly blue skies and more hours of sunshine than any other Australian capital city.

Image : Donaldytong Wikimedia Commons

Cairns

A great place for adrenaline junkies and passionate drivers, Cairns is a small city with big attractions, and is considered as the fourth-most popular travel destination for international visitors in Australia. This friendly city of Queensland is home to the largest coral reef of the world - the Great Barrier Reef, which is a premier holiday destination in Australia. The wonderful city has lot of things to see and do such as Daintree National Park, Cooktown, and Cape Tribulation rainforest, snorkeling in Frankland Island, Chillagoe Caves, Atherton Tableland and more. Cairns has an infectious holiday vibe that has come a long way from a struggling town to international resort city.

With so much to enjoy and experience, and endless selection of things to see and do to satisfy every age group and taste, it is clear why millions of visitors flock to Australia for their ultimate vacation. From must-see landmarks to best local attractions, it offers something to cater everyone's need.